I used an original George Foreman grill to cook steaks for years and years. It was OK. ... No. Was it perfectly fine for making my simple dinner at the end of a hard day? Yes.
Comparison
Kitchen & Dining
George Foreman 4-Serving Grill
The George Foreman 4-Serving Grill is an electric contact grill with removable, dishwasher-safe nonstick plates that cooks up to four servings at once. It's rated for meals in about 10 minutes and includes a 3-year limited warranty.
24 mentions · 6 threadslast mention Aug 20258.1/ 10
ClearPick Score
Good
Score informed by 24 owner mentions across 6 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
16 positive4 mixed4 negative
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George Foreman 4-Serving Grill
$112.30 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
For example I inherited the George Foreman grill from a my Grammy. Love the thing.
Praise
I've cooked pork chops with it and yes, they do cook really fast, and for that most people say that it dries the meat out. However, my pork chops cook in less than 5 minutes to 150F, it does get caramelized, and it is so juicy. I believe that people who complain about it making the meat bland just don't know how to season/marinate properly.
Comparison
It's a perfect way to make steaks when you don't want your entire kitchen hot from the oven/stove or stand out by a hot grill outside.
Praise
It literally takes 10 seconds to clean the george foreman if you just wet down a paper towel and throw it on the grill after you're done..
Praise
It's good for some things, but doesn't get hot enough to do a steak nicely. It will cook it, but you won't get a proper sear. There is a reason they have sold millions of them. Convenient, easy to use, affordable, and do a good job.
Comparison
I used them almost exclusively for chicken breasts for years. I'd cook up a six pack of breasts, make some rice, and roast some broccoli. I had lunch for the week. About an hour of prep time for a week's worth of lunches.
Praise
From experience, the George Foreman Grills are great for easy, no-fuss cooking. That being said, they never get hot enough to really impart grilled flavor to food. Take it for what it is, a convenient, 2-sided hotplate.
Comparison
I didn't even need to leave it on, I usually just sprayed with non-stick before I cooked, then quickly wiped it down with a hunk of wet paper towel (being careful to have a lot of paper towel between my hand and the grill). It cleans it off with no effort!
Praise
It's going to make below average food at above average convenience.
Complaint
I don’t know about older models, but newer models at least have a slot in the hinges that let them lift a little, which flattens the press. It isn’t perfect, but it absolutely spits out a squashed and hot sandwich, and from a form factor that actually fits in a cupboard when it’s not in use. Perfectly usable in the home for grilled cheese, paninis, and even DIY Cubans.
Praise
It certainly has its applications. My husband loves grilling sandwiches on it. I like it for chicken breast tenderloins--quick and easy. I wouldn't rely on it as my sole grilling tool though.
Comparison
Griddles didn't detach. Drip tray wasn't secured to the frame. Poor design and no cleanliness considerations.
Complaint
I get a couple of paper towels, wet them, and then put them in the grill with the lid shut (it's turned off but still hot). After I am done eating, everything usually wipes out easily.
Praise
I agree to an extent but you have to factor in the quality of the product that one is going to cook with AND the quality of the cook. Myself and my family included (not exactly food snobs but we absolutely prefer quality) have made dare I say "above average" meals with ours. Is it a first option piece?....come on....hell no. But can it function well and produce a good meal? Yes. Yes it can.
Praise
But the Foreman gets used all the time. ... For me, it's greatest use is for reheating leftovers. Sometimes, Foreman reheated pizza is better than the original. Even day old spaghetti is better when it comes off it. ... Pressed and grilled sandwiches (panini) Any sandwich is twice better when put into the Foreman. Those 2 alone, and the set it/forget it, make it a permanent part of my kitchen. ... I'm just saying, I'm 20 years out from college, and I still use it.
Praise
I use my George Foreman for paninis, quesadillas, and cooking occasional chicken breasts for recipes. I don't get those who are saying it's a b***h to clean - mine has removable grill plates that I put in the dishwasher. It's a useful tool - I wouldn't grill a steak on it, but it definitely comes in handy in my kitchen.
Praise
If you live in a hot climate, they heat up quickly and generate minimal waste heat.
Praise
They work great but clean up can be a b***h. Just remember it is convenience cooking and while stuff tastes great on it, it will never be as good as a skillet or an actual grill.
Comparison
I just get my George Foreman hot, and use a wet sponge to wipe it out. Only takes me a couple of passes to get it clean.
Praise
My dad hated cleaning the thing. Then I got a giant sized one as a gift for Christmas one year and soon discovered that I hated cleaning it. I don’t own one anymore because the plates weren’t removable.
Complaint
I just throw a wet paper towel in mine when I'm done and after a few minutes it all wipes clean.
Praise
I like mine, good for when the weather outside is bad. I've done it with just about everything. If you pay attention it's not going to dry out.
Praise
I have to get a new one each time I toss it into the dishwasher because they stop working
Complaint
✅ What Works
- Cleanup is fast and low-effort — several owners describe wiping plates in seconds with a damp paper towel (5 mentions)
- Strong fit for meal prep, with one owner batch-cooking a week of chicken breasts in about an hour
- Keeps the kitchen cool since there's no oven or stovetop heat, appreciated as a warm-weather alternative
- Long-term attachment — some owners keep and use theirs for years, including a hand-me-down unit
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Several report it doesn't get hot enough for a proper sear on steaks, even though it cooks the meat through
- One reviewer called the food quality below average despite the convenience
- A few report poor build quality, including plates that reportedly stop working after being washed
- Food outcome is described as technique-dependent — under-seasoned or unmarinated meat is more likely to taste bland or dry
ClearPick Verdict
Owners describe this grill less as a cooking tool and more as a **weeknight convenience habit** — several report keeping one for years, including one inherited unit still in daily rotation. Easy cleanup is the most repeated theme, with people wiping the plates down in seconds rather than scrubbing. The tension shows up around searing: some say it can't get hot enough for a proper steak crust and produces below-average food at above-average convenience, while others insist the result depends heavily on technique — marinating and seasoning before cooking. A handful of complaints about build quality and plates that stop working after washing suggest inconsistency across units or generations. **Buy it for fast, low-effort weeknight meals and meal prep, not for restaurant-quality sear.**